Aviation is a fascinating industry with a variety of people working in all kinds of jobs.

Jeff Kloska: Ready to Climb Aviation's Career Ladder
Aviation is a fascinating industry with a variety of people working in all kinds of jobs. Internships are a great way to enter this industry and we strongly suggest that everyone explore this very worthwhile step up the career ladder. This week, we profile one particular intern that is ready to enter the aviation workforce. His name is Jeff Kloska and he plays an important role at the Avjobs headquarters. He is a motivated, easy going, intelligent young man that is ready to take the first step to a long career in the aviation industry. Jeff is looking for that oh-so-important first job out of college and we feel that he offers any would-be employer a host of valuable skills and knowledge. AvjobsWeekly recently spoke with Jeff to learn more about his internship, studies and career aspirations.

Hi, my name is Jeff.  I just wanted to introduce myself as the Student Ambassador for Avjobs, Inc.  Let me show you how to use all the tools Avjobs offers to land that perfect new employee.  Our employer system lets you easily post jobs and find the right applicants. Need help writing a job posting? NO PROBLEM-I CAN HELP. By using Avjobs you will benefit from: UNLIMITED JOB POSTINGS! Direct sourcing of resumes More than 90 incredible recruiting tools Low annual fee Find the best applicants within the aviation industry. Avjobs was created specifically for aviation related employers like you Employers and recruiters easily source resumes and find quality candidates

1. How long have you been working at Avjobs?
I have been with Avjobs for 6 months.

2. What are your duties and responsibilities?
I am in charge of employer accounts along with sales, marketing and public relations duties. My main responsibility is to find a job for after I graduate. I work in the office and make frequent visits to local aviation companies promoting both myself and Avjobs. I provide assistance to aviation applicants and students and along with provide career advice to folks looking to get into the industry. I also provide the best level of customer service I can because that is what I would want. I actively call and work with companies to help them solve their problems regarding hiring aviation applicants.

3. What do you like best about your job/internship?
The thing I like best is that my main job is to 'Find a Job' and I received a scholarship while working here. This job allows me the opportunity to interact with decision makers in the industry. I have been able to visit a lot of different aviation companies across the front range of Colorado and become very familiar with the companies and with people working for these companies.

I was given the opportunity to organize an aviation networking session inside of a suite at Coors Field during a Colorado Rockies baseball game. I organized and set up the entire event myself and it was a tremendous success. I was told by various companies attending that they will want to hire me when I graduate and they loved the event. I put together a great gift bag for everyone along with some great raffle prizes. Everyone attending received a raffle prize and a gift bag. Everyone was asked "When are you doing this again because I want to attend next time."

4. What have you learned about aviation careers while working at Avjobs?
I have learned a lot! I have learned a lot about aviation life styles of the various jobs and careers available. I have learned a lot about wages and how much positions make and what people should expect with make when they first start within the industry. I learned a lot about non traditional aviation jobs that sound great and high paying. I have learned a lot about what to expect when entering the industry. I have learned that networking is everything in this industry, you must meet and get to know more people and network, network and network.

5. When did you decide to study an aviation career?
I actually began my college career studying Meteorology, I spent about 3 years studying Meteorology and I decided it was not my passion. My brother Dan Kloska whom is a pilot was the major factor in getting me into aviation. I would have to say he was a real motivating factor to switch my career objective. I have also always been interested in airplanes and going to the airport for fun and watching airplanes land and takeoff. As a child I loved going to the airport. I am more interested in business management and running a business so I decided I will leave the piloting in the family to my brother and I switched my major to Aviation Management and my minor to Business Management. Since then I have been very happy with the change and I am now an industry rep with Avjobs and I am working with aviation companies and applicants all over the world. I am now a semester away from graduation and I can't wait.

6. Tell us about your chosen course of study
I am majoring in aviation management and minoring in Business Management at Metropolitan State College of Denver. I love the college; it is a great aviation department with the most diverse group of students and professors that can be found. Aviation Management is the track for the folks whom would like to pursue a management career within the aviation industry. I have had professors at Metro with experiences ranging from Military Aviation , General Aviation, Commercial Aviation, Airport Management, Aviation Law and Security along with various other experience. Metro would be a great choice for anyone looking to pursue a degree in aviation. The department also has some great student groups including the American Association of Airport Executives, Alpha Eta Rho and the Ninety Nines. I am a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and it is a terrific organization to belong to if you are an aviation management professional or student.

7. What kind of job are you seeking right after school?
I want to get into operations, security or running a small airport to start and then upgrading to a large airport. Following graduation I would like to accept a position with a large commercial airport and in the end I plan on becoming an Airport Director later in my career. It may sound a little presumptuous but that is my goal. I would also accept a position with a company on an airport like a part 121 airline or part 91 or 135 charter operator to get more experience and learn as much as I can. I have already gained a lot of experience from my instructors at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

8. What experience and/or skills can you offer for this position?
I bring the skills and knowledge I have gained from my schooling in Aviation Management and Business Management. I bring skills and experience from past management positions. I am now in the second of two internships I have performed. My first was for Lockheed Martin where I gain great professional experience in a professional environment and now I am gaining more and more knowledge about the aviation industry everyday. I bring knowledge about aviation operations, FARs and Security. I am currently taking a Certified Member or C.M. course to get my Certified Member status with the American Association of Airport Executives. After I take and pass the C.M. test, I will be very knowledgeable regarding all aspects of aviation management. I am also currently working with the consulting firm Wilber & Smith to complete an economic impact study on Colorado's airports.

I can also experience with staffing and Human Resources that I gained while working at Lockheed and Avjobs, aviation career opportunities, networking and building relationships.

9. What are your best attributes?
I can be the most professional and fun guy all at the same time. I am always early to work and I have great communication skills as well as multitasking skills and I can get along with most anyone. I always do what is needed of me and will go above and beyond. I promote a good attitude and goodwill around me.

I take pride in anything I do no matter what the job is. I am very easy to get along with and enjoy working with teams to complete projects. I am a very calm person that can handle stressful situations very well and I work well under pressure. I offer a level of commitment unmatched by anyone. I am dedicated to my job and will do what ever is asked of me. I have passion for aviation; I have had that passion ever since I was a kid. I can still remember the first plane I ever flew on was a United DC-10 to Florida for a family vacation and it is still burned into my memory. I love being around planes and being at the airport watching everyone come and go and it never stops. I enjoy high action fast paced environments which is always the case at an airport. I have developed excellent time management skills both from college and years of work. I offer a sense of professionalism that will be noticeable the first time you talk to me or meet me in person that I think will serve me well in the industry.

10. Why are you a good job candidate?
I take pride in anything I do no matter what the job is. I am very easy to get along with and enjoy working with teams to complete projects. I am a very calm person that can handle stressful situations very well and I work well under pressure. I offer a level of commitment unmatched by anyone. I am dedicated to my job and will do what ever is asked of me. I have passion for aviation; I have had that passion ever since I was a kid. I can still remember the first plane I ever flew on was a United DC-10 to Florida for a family vacation and it is still burned into my memory. I love being around planes and being at the airport watching everyone come and go and it never stops. I enjoy high action fast paced environments which is always the case at an airport. I have developed excellent time management skills both from college and years of work. I handle pressure very well and can enjoy working under pressure. I offer a sense of professionalism that will be noticeable the first time you talk to me or meet me in person that I think will serve me well in the industry.